When first launched as a successor to the original XBOX the 360 was hailed as the next generation ,but at what cost ,with initial batches scratching discs,overheating and then the Red Ring of Death struck ,striking a blow to the heart of Microsoft which resulted in them having to issue a 3 year warranty on the defect.

Ask most owners of these consoles in the beginning and half would have experienced the killer Death Ring.OK after much remodeling of the insides the problem has been solved and now with a new slimmer WiFi enabled 250gb console out it seems Microsoft have the best console on the market from a gamers point of view .

What to play with ?

With as good as fighters that the 360 has ,it's only as good as it's controllers ,and the system has some great but yet expensive Joysticks.

Hori Stick

Soul Calibur IV Edition Hori Stick

The Games

With a ever increasing number of titles appearing on the 360 ,picking out Ten top fight or martial orientated games is not so easy as tomorrow another batch of games will appear and then the following week.

Sega's Virtua Fighter 5 is a must have on the system as it is the ultimate VF ,offering online play which was lacking in the PS3 version.Originally released in the Arcades in 2006 (ver A) and then updated for the Arcade in 2008 (ver R) after the home versions where released.

Originally appearing on PS3 in 2007 February and March (Ver B) then released on 360 in October and December that same Year (Ver C).

The Xbox 360 version introduced online support via Xbox Live, which allowed two players from around the world to battle over the internet.

If you like your fighters skilled and realistic this is the game for you and will last forever.

Our Old Faithful Fighters

Akira Yuki

Pai Chan

Lau Chan

Wolf Hawkfield

Jeffry McWild

Kage-Maru

Sarah Bryant

Jacky Bryant

Shun Di

Lion Rafale

Aoi Umenokoji

Lei-Fei

Vanessa Lewis

Brad Burns

Goh Hinogami

Taka-Arashi (Virtua Fighter 5 R/ Final Showdown)

Dural

New Characters

Dead or Alive originally came about as a alternative to VF and over the years has moved away slightly ,offering a faster more easier route to completion of the game.Of course it would take a while to complete with every character and again with online play and a awesome two player mode this is a must have title .

As you throw and grab your opponent smashing them through walls ,off cliffs whilst being surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenary ever seen in a game.

The game uses a simple 3 button technique similar to VF and like VF has combo moves and features many real life Martial arts techniques.

In an interview with Famitsu Xbox, Itagaki remarked that he spent 99% of his time developing Dead or Alive 4, while only sleeping 40 minutes in four days. On May 12, 2005, the first screens from the game were leaked on the internet via the elotrolado.net message boards.

Street Fighter is the game that really started it all ,when it comes to hard core fighting games ,in it's original guise as a 2D fighter not many could match it's gameplay (except of course KOF).

This new version for next Gen retained the gameplay in a 2d format ,but adding 3D visuals that look breathtaking..Again with a host of characters and online play Street Fighter 4 is a game that will be around for time to come (though new versions have been released ) Super Street Fighter 4 was released in 2010 .

This was the first numbered Street fighter game released since 1999.All the characters and environments in Street Fighter IV are rendered as 3D models with polygons.While Street Fighter IV features models and backgrounds rendered in 3D, the gameplay remains on a 2D plane, with the camera having freedom to move in 3D.Thus offering the best of both worlds ,fast active gameplay that we all have come to love and sumptuous surroundings which gamers demand now Days.

A real treat for fans of the series Tekken comes to 360 as well as PS3 and the hold Sony had on the series has been lifted.Sporting all your favorite characters and a adventure mode as well Tekken comes full circle recreating the high times of Tekken 3 and more .As with all Tekken games you control each of the limbs of the fighters with four buttons .

Tekken 6 is the sequel to Tekken 4 and Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection. The stages are bigger with more interactivity than previous Tekken titles, such as walls or floors that can be broken to reveal new fighting areas.

If you had the dosh you could invest in this set wgich gave you a Wireless Joystick and Book all package in a gift box.WOW

So what you waiting For ,it's one of the best fighters around and now i bet you could buy a cheap second hand copy if you never invested the first time.

Soul Calibur is the sixth game in the Namco's Soul series of games ,the original Soul Blade came out on the Playstation back in the nineties and Soul Calibur ,a game that reinvented the genre on the Dreamcast in 1999 and later released on XBOX Live in 2008.Between the first and this one we have had the all format Soul Calibur II and the exclusive PS2 release of Soul Calibur III.

What the game brings to the fighting genre is weapons and this gives the game a instant excitement as the chance to wield a sword,staff or giant axe is always pleasurable.

Now this Fifth version of the game ( there was a Soul adventure game released on the PS2 ,NOT SUCCESSFUL) features the Story, Arcade, Training and Museum modes. A new mode called Tower of Lost Souls requires the player to win battles in order to gain rewards.

On top of this this the second in the series that lets you create your own characters in creation mode (cool).A wide array of new pieces of equipment are available for use in Soul calibur IV's Character Creation mode, and new options include a wider range of character voices and the ability to change their pitch. The player may also change a character's general physique and muscularity.

In the multi player stakes the game chages somewhat from it's past versions as now it uses a Tag style system ,similar to a KOF game.

Many characters from the Soul series return for Soulcalibur IV, with newcomers Hilde and Algol added to the roster. The Star Wars characters Darth Vader, Yoda and The Apprentice are playable as guest characters. Initially, Darth Vader appeared on the PlayStation 3, and Yoda appeared on the Xbox 360;but no ZELDA from Soul Calibur II on Gamecube (shame).

So all in all a blast of a game that satisfies your blood lust for hacking and slashing at your opponents with large metal weapons.

King of fighters is a game that has been around for years ,since 1994 in fact.As a alternative to the Street Fighters series this twelfth in the series of KOF keeps it's roots firmly in the 2D plain with hand drawn characters and backgrounds as opposed to polygons featured in the Street Fighter 4 games.

Now i won't get to in to it as you can read myreviewin the game pages of this very site ,but just to say if you want hardcore 2D fighting then they don't come much tougher then this series. Awesome.

In September 2012, bartender Desmond Miles is kidnapped by Abstergo, a pharmaceutical company. He is to be used as their 17th test subject in the Animus, a device that can read the memories of Desmond's ancestors through the genetic memory left behind in their descendants' DNA.

So using this method the game plays as a sub conscious of a man who whilst in this type of hyper-sleep can relive and alter what went on in the past.

Now being that the game takes place in the year 1191AD ,it gives a nice and unusual setting for a game with vast spaces abound in a med-evil world.With the ability for some nice sword play action and stealth kills as well and all backed up with a splendid story to get you glued to the screen ,which is important in these one player games to take in to a false world.

Now when this was released this was the game on every ones lips ,as people where wowed by the sumptuous visuals and the way the characters moved ,with flowing clothes and all.

Though may be not as interactive as some may think ,most buildings are just facades for decorative purposes unlike a traditional RPG .But none the less fro enjoyment though ,A must have on 360.

Now here is a more action packed game ,which really plays like a more complicated Streets of Rage in as much that you have a basic story and levels to explore beating up everyone on the way ,picking up weapons and other aids along the way.

The only difference is it's a 3D game and you have a base to return to to regain health and purchase supplies.

Yes it has a nice Nordic back story ,but swap it all for Streets of Rage characters and backgrounds and that's what you have for the next gen.And it all works very well in that you can play for twenty minutes or 3 hours and still progress and enjoy at the same time . A real blast.

Bayonetta is a game in the model of Devil May Cry ,in fact the game was directed by Devil May Creator Hideki Kamiya.With plush visuals that prove the 360 still has a lot to show in terms of graphic power ,but the winner here is the excellent game play aided by easy to master controls and fluid movement .But don't take my word for it ,check out the video below ,then read my full reviewhere.

This is a game that impressed me in it's demo form that i purchased a copy recently (at a cheap price Mind).Even though i have not got fully in to it as of yet i must say it has a nice feel to it ,More of a Acrobatic shooter (though she does kick) .I felt it fitted nicely here as a Babes with weapons type of game .Review soon .

Resident Game expert Article

This article was compiled by our Resident Games Expert ,Bruno Bagdzius.

Bruno has been a avid games-player since the early 80's and has experience with many format's and Genre's. Though here we concentrate on the Beat'em up Genre .He has a diverse passion for all games and has written a couple of reviews for our sister site Shoot'em in the Head as well.

Worth a Mention

With so many games arriving on the system ,you can never be up to date ,so also look out for games like ''UFC Undisputed,Ninja BLADE, Ninja Gaiden ,Kengo Zero , Mini Ninja's and many more !